261 COLUMBUS AVE
NEW HAVEN, CT 06519
SUN - 10AM Sunday School & 11AM Worship
TUE - 7PM Bible Study -VIRTUAL ONLY
FRI - 7PM Equip Sessions (Doctrinal Studies) - VIRTUAL ONLY
Our Pastors
Pastor LaVerne
Pastor LaVerne Walters was born on the beautiful sunshine island of Jamaica, West Indies. She migrated to the United States of America in the early 1970’s with her two sisters. She surrendered her life to the Lord Jesus Christ at the tender age of eleven at Christian Fellowship Church in West Haven, CT.
Under the tutelage of her Pastor, Bishop and uncle, Dr. S. A. Monroe, she grew to become a dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ. As a pre-teen she motivated the youth, forming the CFC Youth Choir. As a teen, she taught Sunday school classes, headed up the Youth Ministry and pioneered the Evangelism Outreach. She founded the Christian Fellowship Group in St. Mary’s High School in New Haven, CT. The calling of God was evident upon her life and by age nineteen she was ordained as an Evangelist. She also headed up the Usher’s Board and the Ladies’ Ministry. Her continued devotion to the kingdom of God prevailed despite many obstacles and trials.
Evangelist Walters obtained most of her elementary and secondary education in private schools in New Haven, Connecticut. She commenced her undergraduate studies at Albertus Magnus College and concluded at Southern Connecticut State University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, concentrating in Accounting. She was employed by Yale University and later worked as a Revenue Agent at the Internal Revenue Service. She furthered her Biblical Studies at the Manhattan Bible Institute.
Dr. Lester
In 1982 the young Evangelist was united in matrimony with her first love, Minister Lester Walters. They served together faithfully in CFC and ministered to the body of Christ locally and abroad. In 1991 they founded New Lighthouse Missions Ministry, a local mission serving the homeless individuals and families in the Hill region of New Haven. The goal and mission was to touch each life inspiring the whole person, “body, soul and spirit”.
In 1999 Pastor LaVerne was consecrated and ordained along side her husband, Dr. Lester Walters as they launched out into full-time ministry accepting God’s call to organize and pastor New Lighthouse Ministries, Inc. in West Haven, Connecticut.
During this time she also served on the Board of Trustees of Youth for Christ in the New England Region. Additionally, she served on the Women for Excellence Christian Council, as Director of Finance since its inception in 2002 and served until 2012. Our sister also operated a tax and financial business serving individuals, businesses and churches while embracing the call as a servant as a woman of God, wife, mother, grandmother, pastor, teacher and speaker.
Pastor LaVerne and Dr. Lester are proud parents of three beautiful children, whom she calls their jewels, LaToya, Lester Charles and Lexsis. They are also proud grandparents to Davion Jenkins, LaTifah Jenkins, LaVanya Jenkins, Lillian Walters, Lanaè Henderson and Judah Henderson.
Dr. Lester Walters was born on the sunny Island of Jamaica in the West Indies. He accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal Savior in 1973 while attending Chapelton COGIC.
In 1975 he migrated to the United States of America to join his parents and family who were living in Derby Connecticut. Pastor Lester soon became an active member of Christian Fellowship COGIC, in West Haven Connecticut, then under the Leadership of Bishop Dr. S. A. Munroe. There he served as Youth President, Assistant Pastor and Pastored for a brief period. He also served as Assistant to Bishop Munroe.
Dr. Lester received his early education up to high school in Jamaica where he attended Eureka High. He received an associate from Connecticut School of Electronics. He attended Manhattan Bible Institute and took courses through Trinity Seminary. He is currently enrolled in New Lighthouse Bible Institute graduate degree program.
In 1982 he took a position with Conrail now known as Metro North Railroads in their Electrical Department as a Substation Helper. He was quickly promoted to foreman and in 1990 he was promoted to Power Supervisor. In 1999 he was again promoted to Power Director where he not only worked in that capacity but informally as Chief of that department as needed.
In 1982 Dr. Lester married the lovely LaVerne Davis. From that union the Lord blessed them with three beautiful children, LaToya Nicole, Lester Arthur Charles and Lexsis Ariel. He is also the proud grandfather of Davion Jenkins, LaTifah Jenkins, LaVanya Jenkins, Lillian Walters, Lanaè Henderson and Judah Henderson.
In 1999 Pastors Lester & LaVerne Walters founded New Lighthouse Ministries, Inc. a non-denominational ministry where he is the Senior Pastor.
Dr. Lester is an avid scholar of the Bible and is serious about the teaching and preaching of it. He believes the preacher should never enter the pulpit unprepared. His goal is to reach the world, touching hearts and changing lives with the love, light and message of the great gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Church
On October 5, 1998, Pastors Lester and LaVerne Walters started a Bible Study Class in their home in West Haven, Connecticut. Following God’s leading, Dr. Lester soon after launched out into full ministry and as instructed by God, "New Lighthouse Ministries, Inc.” was established, a non-denominational ministry that believes the whole Bible rightly divided.
God commissioned us to be New because we believe God is doing a new thing; and that He has called us to take an active part in achieving His purpose. Lighthouse because we are to be a beacon of light rescuing lost souls that are aimlessly drifting on the sea of life; and to illuminate each willing believer as we daily seek out and follow God’s light. Ministries because God has given us various gifts to edify the body of Christ, as we teach, preach and serve faithfully with unity, according to His Word.
The ministry’s first service was held on March 28, 1999 and from there on, Sunday morning services and Monday night Bible studies were held at the Pastors’ residence. As the Bible Study Class and the congregation grew in number, it became apparent that New Lighthouse Ministries needed a facility to worship. Once again God heard our prayers and pressed upon Pastor LaVerne’s heart to contact the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church to inquire if we could use their facility to hold our services. Upon approval by the Board of Elders our first service at Christian & Missionary Alliance Church was held on June 6, 1999.
In November of 2007, God miraculously opened the door for us to acquire a place to call HOME for our ministry; and by December 2007 we finalized the purchase process. After several months of renovations, we celebrated the Blessing and Dedication of this wonderful gift of God to continue in the expansive work of the Kingdom of God in the earth. God has kept us and continues to guide us all the way.
Our goal is to be that Lighthouse, which God has designed, called and destined us to be. As we reach the lost and equip the saints through the teaching, preaching and ministering of the Holy Scriptures; under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. We are committed to continue to serve as faithful laborers in God’s vineyard; for “We are called to reach our world with the light, love and message of our Lord and Savior Jesus, working with Him to be salt and light in the earth, so that God will prosper the ministry as He reaps in His Great Harvest.